As I’ve stated (or rather, complained about) before, I have extremely dry and sensitive skin! Every winter, my skin becomes a nightmare to deal with. I get flaky patches of skin on my forehead, around my mouth, and sometimes on my cheeks! It looks awful and putting makeup on top of it, makes it looks worse!

I’ve been experimenting with an inundation of products to help my skin type and this year I have been loving Clinique skin care products! They (usually) work for me because they are “Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance Free.” For my everyday lotion I’ve been using Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and it has done wonders for my skin! It greatly improved the texture of my skin and gives me a radiant complexion.

However, I still needed something a bit stronger and thicker for the winter weather. As I’ve been absolutely swept away by their other products, I have gave Clinique Moisture Surge Intense for Very Dry to Dry Combination skin a chance and I love it! Within a day of using this, my flaky skin started to subside and now my skin is almost as smooth and soft as it was in the summer, except for a very rough, troublesome, patch of skin on the corner of my mouth.

I am a bit behind schedule right now so I apologize. My room right now is an absolute mess and I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather. Right now I’m in the process of trying to clean up and organize all my things. I have been planning a couple of posts but I just can’t concentrate my thoughts when my surroundings are such a mess. Hopefully, the old adage “tidy house, tidy mind” is true and by tonight I’ll have two posts.

UPDATE: Well, I have uploaded my post for January 3rd and changed the date accordingly so my blog would stay in chronological order. I have decided to just turn this post into my 4th day post as I think it makes a pretty good topic. If you’re anything like me, you’d understand how quickly a house/room/really any area can turn into a mess so quickly. I honestly don’t know how it happens but it does and rather quickly no matter how many times I clean up. I seriously suspect a little mischievous ghoul of some sort that likes to hide our stuff especially when we are in a rush so we have no choice but to look for it and thus create a mess (and leave it messy). To be honest though, I can’t help but notice that it is all these material items that create such havoc. I have clothes laying about everywhere, jewelry on every surface, and other various knick knacks strewn about my room.

The worst part of all of this is that it really does have an impact on the human mind, or at least mine. It’s just so uncomfortable to try to be productive when there are so many distractions. Aside from noises, the appearance of the room matters, also. When there’s clutter about, it feels like there’s clutter in my mind and it makes it that more difficult to concentrate on ideas.

I think by minimizing clutter, my life and the state of my mind will greatly improve. Thoughts like this help me affirm my decision to not buy any clothing or makeup this year (they add much more to the clutter!). Now, I’m not saying I don’t love material items, but I think I could learn a lesson or two by really thinking and investing in pieces and cosmetics that will allow me to minimize clutter, and maximize utility and happiness.

I was fortunate to receive a Louis Vuitton Noé over the holiday break from my aunt. It was hers in the 80’s when she went to college. The date code indicates it was made in April 1987. Also, I’m very pleased that it was actually made in France (unlike my pochette accesoires made in the U.S.A.). It has aged beautifully and the monogram canvas looks as fresh as my more recent Louis Vuitton bags. The leather has patinated beautifully (Patina is a phenomenon that occurs in the vachetta or untreated cowhide leather on your bag. When the leather is new, the color is very pale beige. Over years of use, it darkens to its full patina in various stages, to deep honey brown. which is it’s final dark patinated color. Patination is caused by oxidation, sunlight, weather, oil in your hands and dirt.) Also, a patinated bag is proof that a Louis Vuitton is genuine and honestly, I kinda love the vintage look it gives the bag. Plus, the honey colored leather complements the monogram canvas.

It’s like a fine wine, it gets better with age.date code from the 80smade in France!

Here is a little history of the bag (in case, you’re interested):

The Noe was first introduced in the early 1930’s when a champagne house contacted the Louis Vuitton company to make a bag that would hold 5 bottles of champagne. The bag still serves this function: 4 bottles with the bottom down and the 5th inverted and nestled between the others. However, its bottle carrying capacity notwithstanding, the bag is primarily used as a practical city bag for everyday use. This drawstring bag comes in two sizes: the Noe itself (10″ x 13″ or 26cm x 34cm, pictured) and the smaller Petite Noe (9″ x 11″ or 24cm x 27cm). By the way, the name Noe is French for Noah, who was not only famous for loading animals on the Arc two by two, but for his ability to consume wine. (http://kunkun.tripod.com/LV.htm)

Obviously, I don’t use the bag for carrying around bottles of champagne (usually ;)) but I use it as a everyday casual tote. It’s extremely roomy and I can fit my large kate spade wallet, my planner, a book, a scarf, a water bottle, my pochette, a full-size hair brush, with room to spare (I can even fit my 13in. macbook air!).

All of this……fits here!

This bag is not in mint condition, but I still love it and I’m not afraid to ruin a “new” bag.

water markswear and tear from over the years

Please like this post to see what’s in my makeup pouch (the pochette!).

Jessica over at http://producthoochie.wordpress.com nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blog Award. Definitely go check her out for her fun, informative beauty related posts! Needless to say, I’m honored and genuninely surprised.

Here are the rules:

1. Link back to the blogger who nominated you. Check! Done in the first sentence!

So, I have failed in my experiment to go a week without credit cards. However, perhaps, you will find it in your heart to pardon my one credit card purchase?

This morning, I received an email from my professor, informing the class that tomorrows class is cancelled due to his illness. As I was really missing my mom and brothers, I used this as an excuse and decided to catch a last minute flight back home and spend time with them for the extended weekend. So, yes, I did use my credit card to purchase tickets. However, aside from the plane tickets, which were bought for a very special reason, I have not used my credit card to make any purchases.

So even though I have already failed in my experiment, I will still continue for the rest of the week to try and not make any more purchases by credit card. That being said, I’ll begin with what I have bought today with my remaining cash. First, I spent about $9 to get to the airport and then at the airport I spent $11 on food (ridiculous airport prices!). This leaves me with 7 dollars and change left. I think this is a fairly good amount as I will definitely eat my mom’s delicious food that I’ve missed so much over this weekend!

I don’t mean to be cheesy, but I would like to thank you for joining me. Three days after starting this blog, I now have 21 followers! I appreciate each and every one of you. With 20+ individuals joining me on this journey, I know I’ll be that much stronger in my commitment to this personal not-so-personal journey. So, thank you. It means so much to me for you to help me along as I begin my adventure in a little more than a month.

When I first started this blog, my goal was to get five (okay, ONE) follower by the end of the week. I knew that if at least one person followed me, I could continue blogging for them and myself. I was surprised when I got my first like then my first follower. When I woke up the morning after my first post, I had 4 followers! I was beyond ecstatic (you should ask my boyfriend how I reacted!). Now eight posts, 49 likes, and 21 followers later, I am completely overwhelmed and touched by the community wordpress is.

So to keep things short and sweet, thank you and thank you wordpress for making this happen.